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Botox®

Botox®

Getting older is a natural part of life, but the effects of aging can result in the presence of wrinkles, crow's feet, and smile lines. Cellular changes in the body, sun damage, reduced collagen production, and deep muscle contractions in the face all contribute to the look of deep-set wrinkles and facial lines. At Gainesville Dermatology Aesthetic Center, we provide specialized, noninvasive skin care services to meet all of our patients' unique needs. Contact our dermatology clinic for more information about the cosmetic and skin care procedures we offer or to schedule Botox injections with our dermatologists in Gainesville, FL.

What Is Botox?

Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) – also called Botox Cosmetic – is the first and only FDA-approved treatment for temporary improvements in the appearance of wrinkles, facial lines, and crow's feet. Unlike facial plastic surgery, Botox injections take only minutes to perform and no downtime is required afterward. Produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, this noninvasive treatment is commonly used by Gainesville dermatologists to remediate the appearance of wrinkles and facial creases, but it can also be used for a variety of medical conditions. These include hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), bladder dysfunction, chronic migraines, eye twitching, lazy eye, cervical dystonia, and muscle contractures.

Common Botox Treatment Areas

Botox can be used to rejuvenate the smile, forehead, cheeks, and neck. By targeting the areas of the face that most readily show signs of aging, our Botox cosmetic treatments are able to efficiently address our patients' greatest insecurities without any invasive surgical techniques. The following list covers the most common reasons our patients at Gainesville Dermatology Aesthetic Center choose to undergo Botox treatments.


Minimizing Treatments:

Botox is primarily used to soften signs of aging caused by repeated facial movements.

  • Crow's Feet
  • Smile Lines
  • Bunny Lines
  • Chin Dimpling
  • Forehead Lines

Enhancements:

Alternatively, Botox treatments can be used to enhance a patient's natural features.

  • Brow Lift
  • Lip Flip

How Does Botox Work?

Dynamic wrinkles appear over time as the result of repeated movement of facial muscles, such as smiling, squinting, and laughing. Finer wrinkles form when collagen – a protein located under layers of skin – begins to thin. Dermal fillers, including Botox, target muscle activity beneath the skin's surface that causes facial lines. Humans have 43 facial muscles – every time we move them our nerves release acetylcholine (a chemical neurotransmitter) which attaches to receptors in the face and causes muscle contraction. Botox treatment works by binding to these acetylcholine receptors and blocking the signal from nerves to the muscles. The muscle into which the filler is injected will no longer tighten so forcefully, allowing wrinkles in the face to relax and soften.

Botox Before & After Photos

Botox Before and After 1

Botox Before and After 2

Botox Before and After 3

Botox Before and After 4

The images shown above are actual results, however individual results may vary.

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Botox Results

Botox injections offer substantial results that are not immediately apparent, but patients can expect to see positive results quickly following their treatments. The majority of patients who receive Botox Cosmetic injections observe significant improvements in the appearance of their skin and the treated areas just 3–4 days after injections. Patients can expect to see the full results around 14 days after injections.

First-time Botox Cosmetic users may require additional time to see full results than those who regularly receive injections. The appearance of fine lines and shallow wrinkles will dissipate quickly, while deeper, more severe lines and wrinkles will require more than 14 days to fade. At around the 14-day mark, the treated areas will appear smoother, fuller, rejuvenated and more youthful. Any wrinkles or lines in the treated areas will lessen in appearance or appear softer and smaller.

How Botox Improves Migraines

Botox is a popular treatment option for patients who suffer from chronic migraines. By targeting treatments to specific muscles in the head, neck, and shoulders, medical professionals can reduce the frequency and severity of headaches to a more manageable level.


Botox interferes with the interaction between your nerves and muscles, decreasing the intensity of both muscle contractions and pain. Patients who receive repeated treatments report noticeable improvements in pain tolerance, headache frequency, and overall quality of life. If you suffer from chronic migraines, reach out to Gainesville Dermatology Aesthetic Center to see how Botox cosmetic injections can provide long-lasting migraine relief today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Botox injections are administered directly into the skin tissues using an ultra-fine needle and require no anesthesia. The procedure typically requires less than 15 minutes to complete. Patients experience minimal discomfort, most often a small pinch during the procedure. If patients are concerned about discomfort, ice, or topical numbing cream may be applied to the treatment area by a dermatologist. Full results usually take 7‐10 days to appear, but patients may start to notice results in as little as 24‐48 hours. After 30 days, the effects are at their peak. Patients should avoid drinking alcohol or taking anti-inflammatory drugs two weeks before receiving Botox treatment to lessen the chance of bruising at the injection site.

During your consultation with our team, you will be provided with specific instructions regarding how to prepare for your treatment with Botox Cosmetic. In general, however, in order to prevent facial bruising from developing after injections, you should avoid consuming wine for 7 days before your treatment. Additionally, you should avoid taking anti-inflammatory medications during the week before Botox treatments. There are certain patients for whom anti-inflammatory medications are medically necessary. If this applies to you, please discuss this need with your provider during your consultation, so they may plan your care accordingly. You should avoid foods that contain garlic, too. For more information, contact Gainesville Dermatology Aesthetic Center.

Treatments with Botox Cosmetic is customized to your specific goals and needs. When you meet with your dermatologist, they will determine the appropriate treatment for any areas that you wish to address, including moderate-to-severe frown lines, crow's feet, and forehead lines, among other possible treatment areas. The severity of the fine lines, wrinkles, or enhancement required will determine the amount of units you will need. In general, however, for treating the forehead, 10‐30 units of Botox is typically used; for treating the glabellar lines, 25 units of Botox may be suitable; and for treating crow's feet 10‐15 units of Botox may be injected around each eye (20‐30 units total). For more information, please contact our office.

The best way to determine your candidacy for Botox Cosmetic injections is to visit our practice for a consultation. In general, however, ideal candidates for Botox are 18 years of age or older, in good physical health, not pregnant or nursing, and have realistic goals and expectations with regard to the results of the procedure. Additionally, good candidates for Botox do not have a history of neuromuscular diseases such as myasthenia gravis or multiple sclerosis. In general, Botox is most suitable for improving the appearance of dynamic wrinkles, which are wrinkles that develop due to repeated muscle contractions made when we move our faces. Schedule your consultation today to determine if you are a candidate for Botox injections!

Botox is an FDA-approved treatment considered safe when administered by a skincare specialist. Botox is proven as a successful and effective solution to a myriad of cosmetic and medical problems when given in the proper dosage and number of treatments. The best way to achieve optimal results from treatment is to receive injections from a trusted Botox provider, such as Gainesville Dermatology Aesthetic Center. Schedule a skin care treatments today!

While most patients between the ages of 18 and 65 are good candidates for Botox and other types of cosmetic fillers, patients should avoid treatment if they're pregnant or breastfeeding, allergic to albumin, or have a neurological disorder. At Gainesville Dermatology Aesthetic Center, we value the comfort and safety of all of our patients, but as with any cosmetic procedure, there are side effects of the injections patients should be aware of before choosing to undergo this procedure, including the following.

  • Flu-like symptoms
  • Headaches or migraines
  • Bruising or pain at the injection site(s)
  • Nausea and discomfort
  • Redness at injection sites
  • Temporary drooping of facial skin

Following injections, the effects of treatment commonly last 3‐6 months. Muscle actions will gradually return as treatment begins to wear, resulting in the reappearance of wrinkles and facial lines. As such, repeated Botox treatments are recommended to train facial muscles to continuously relax and, over time, permanently reduce the number of and appearance of facial wrinkles. Factors that affect the duration of Botox's effects include age, skin conditions, skin damage, face shape and structure, expressions, and previous experiences with wrinkle treatments.

Botox is a protein derived from the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. By injecting it into the facial muscles, it blocks signals from the nerves that cause the muscles to contract. When the muscles cannot contract, the dynamic wrinkles caused by facial movements relax and soften, which allows the face to appear smoother. Over time, the body naturally breaks down the protein. How quickly this happens depends on several factors, including metabolic rate and exposure to environmental toxins. While some factors may be out of your control, you can follow these tips to help you prolong and maximize your results from Botox injections.

  • Protect your skin from sun exposure. Apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 35 daily and reapply it throughout the day.
  • Consider low-intensity workouts to prevent fast metabolization of Botox fillers.
  • Reduce your stress levels. Take part in meditation, yoga, and other stress-relieving activities to help maximize the lifespan of your Botox while reducing stress symptoms.
  • Moisturize your skin using a high-quality facial moisturizer containing collagen and hyaluronic acid. Ask your provider about skincare recommendations.
  • Avoid using nicotine to help prevent the further development of dynamic wrinkles.

There is no anesthesia required for Botox injections. Likewise, there is no downtime or recovery time for botulinum toxin injections. Most patients can resume their normal activities immediately following their procedure. Patients should avoid rubbing or massaging the treated areas after receiving injections as it can cause the botulinum toxin to migrate to another area of the face. To prevent spread, it is also recommended to avoid exercise for 24 hours after your treatment and to keep your head elevated at night for the first few days for the best results.

Botox injections are not permanent. Over time, the injected botulinum toxins will naturally dissolve back into your body. This process can take anywhere between 3 and 6 months, making repeated treatments necessary for patients who desire a long-lasting result.

Botox treatments are not typically painful. Most patients experience a slight stinging sensation at the injection site that resolves quickly on its own.

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